Vitas Gerulaitis

In a sport brimming with compelling personalities, few shined brighter than Vitas Gerulaitis. Tennis Channel’s Signature Series: Vitas Gerulaitis casts the spotlight on a man who touched lives and hearts in ways at once generous and engaging. Dubbed the Joe Namath of tennis, “Broadway Vitas” occupied the red-hot center of tennis’ boom years of the ’70s, standing front and center alongside such superstars as Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg and Ilie Nastase, each of whom was a close friend of Gerulaitis. Ranked as high as number three in the world, off the court Gerulaitis was second to none, burning the candle at all ends, marching in lockstep with Andy Warhol and the world of Studio 54. By day he gave his heart to his sport and pioneered the notion of using tennis as a way to make a difference in the world. Gerulaitis’ life is an incredible story, a tale of rise and fall, redemption and tragedy – and most of all, one man’s remarkable zest.

Editing by Jonathan Jelkin and Seth Shapiro.